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Wildland Fire Fighting Safety and Health

Wildland fires continue to increase in the Western United States as hot, dry and windy conditions persist, resulting in an extended fire season and factors conducive to fires. Currently, drought conditions are prevalent in the West due to low snow-pack levels, below average rainfall, record setting temperatures and high winds, resulting in a greater than average number of fires this year. Since January 2012, over 32,000 fires have burned almost 3.3 million acres in the US. [NIFC, 2012a]. (For current data see the Fighting Wildfires Topic Page). Additionally, in the last 50 years, there has been a general increase in the occurrence and severity of forest wildfires in the US, as over 5 million wildfires have burned over 206 million acres [NIFC, 2012b].

When wildland fires occur in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), the area where houses meet undeveloped land, they can easily become catastrophic because a large number of people, homes and structures are at-risk. When a fire ignites in these areas, a quick and aggressive response from wildland fire agencies and wildland fire fighters is required.

Wildland fire fighting can be a dangerous occupation. Over the past 10 years, over 200 fire fighters have died while participating in wildland fire suppression activities [USFA, 2001-2010]. These fatalities have occurred among federal, state and local fire fighters as well as private and military personnel. Although a variety of agencies track wildland fire fighter fatality data a national system for collecting data on non-fatal injuries and illnesses among wildland fire fighters does not exist. Research studies that evaluated injuries at specific fires show that the types of injuries that occurred while fighting fires and working in fire camps include falls, strains, burns, being struck-by-objects and vehicle-related incidents [Kiefer, 2004; Britton, 2010].

In 2010, there were approximately 34,000 federal workers employed in wildland fire suppression activities [Ryerson, 2011] and an unknown number of volunteer wildland fire fighters. Ensuring fire fighter safety during the challenging conditions encountered when responding to a wildland fire (rapid response, poor visibility, uncharacterized hazards, unfamiliarity with the environment, etc.) requires knowledge of hazards and commitment to safety by Incident Commanders, Fire Management and Safety Officers. Safety programs should be established that include employee training on safe work practices, recognition and reporting of hazards, appropriate personal protective equipment and frequent safety program evaluation.

Acclimatize fire fighters by exposing them for progressively longer periods to hot work environments

Provide cool water or liquids to fire fighters

Provide rest periods in cooler areas with water breaks

Monitor fire fighters for signs of heat stress

Recommendations for Wildland Fire Fighters

When possible, fire fighters should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure and high humidity. When these exposures cannot be avoided, fire fighters should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:

Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity

Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible

Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty (about 1 cup every 15-20 minutes)

Avoid alcohol and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar

Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress, particularly turnout-gear

Fatigue

Fire fighters can also experience physical and mental fatigue during a wildland fire due to strenuous work activity, high altitudes, long and irregular work shifts, lack of sleep and/or quality sleep, improper nutrition and unpredictable and stressful events. Fatigue and stress can increase the risk of injury, accidents and poor health. Studies show that working 12 hours or more per day is associated with a 37% increased risk of injury [Dembe, 2005].

How to Prevent and Reduce Fatigue:

Allow enough time to sleep after shift work and on days off

Avoid heavy foods before sleeping

Reduce intake of caffeine and other stimulants several hours before sleeping

Ensure fluid and nutritional needs are met and that work/rest cycles are implemented to prevent unnecessary fatigue among both fire fighters and fire managers

Injuries

Wildland fire fighters are also exposed to a variety of hazards that may put them at risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries while on the job. Hazards wildland fire fighters may encounter include:

Respiratory Hazards from Smoke, Ash and Debris

Smoke and dust from a wildland fire can be composed of a variety of inhalation health hazards, including gases, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde, and particulates, including ash and silica [Austin, 2008] [Reinhardt and Ottmar, 2004] [Harrison, et al 1995]. Structural fires that occur during a wildland fire may generate additional hazardous contaminants from the many materials present in homes and buildings. For example, car batteries or mercury light bulbs present in homes and buildings, especially older buildings have a greater potential to contain asbestos and lead. Incident Commanders, Fire Managers and fire fighters should always be aware of the risk for smoke inhalation, the potential hazards associated with ash and the precautions that should be taken to prevent and reduce exposure.

Wildland fire fighting can be a dangerous occupation. These men and women place themselves in harms way to protect the lives and property of those living in the affected areas. Following the recommendations above and using the additional resources below can help protect fire fighters from the hazards associated with wildland fire fighting. We would like to hear from those involved in wildland fire fighting. Have you experienced any of the issues we discuss in this blog? Are there any unique issues with the current fires? Let us know if there are areas we have not covered in this blog that might be helpful to you.

Corey Campbell and Liz Dalsey

Ms. Campbell is an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist in the NIOSH Western States Office.

Ms. Dalsey is a Health Communication Specialist in the NIOSH Western States Office.

UPDATE

The NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) will begin issuing certificates of approval to respirators for use during wildland fire-fighting operations. NIOSH and the Safety Equipment Institute will cooperatively coordinate certification programs to evaluate candidate respirators for compliance to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1984-2011, Standard on Respirators for Wildland Fire-Fighting Operations. For more information see the announcement.

27 comments on “Wildland Fire Fighting Safety and Health”

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This is an exhaustive list by the CDC. Thank you for that. Particularly fire fighters finding themselves in a stressful situation might find this helpful – however perhaps a little checklist for that might be even more helpful. (something to remember, maybe with e mnemonic device)

We have discussed additional ways to communicate this information. We welcome suggestions from fire fighters and managers as to what would be useful – fact sheet or poster for posting in break areas, tweets, pocket card, etc.

It all starts with the basics for wildland firefighters. The instructor can not stress enough the need to hydrate, especially BEFORE an incident. It continues with the safety officers that preach hydration daily at briefings. However, much like any other safety issue, the firefighter him/herself, much take the personal responsibility to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!

I’ve often wondered why local fire departments don’t get more involved in heat stress awareness, both to the general public as well as to local businesses. It seems to me that more than anyone else, firefighters are all too aware of the dangers that heat stress imposes upon the human body.

Thanks for sharing this list of recommendation on how to prevent fire accidents and heat injuries. It reminds the general public how much those brave firefighters risk for the public good. They put their lives at risks so that others can live safer. This is one of the jobs that deserves the most respect from the community.

Firefighters work closely with the local community to increase their level of fire safety awareness in order to help prevent fires and accidents occurring in the first place. They promote fire safety and enforce fire safety standards in public and commercial premises by acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks.For more information please visit [http://www.safedesign.com/]

Firefighters used to face stress during the fire operation. Heat stress shows so many impacts on the human body. understand the heat stress. Drink lots of water, hydrate the body is the good option in reducing the heat stress.

Its nice to have a blog from the governement about our niche . Its strange that we were not involving this in school syllabuses .Municipal Training Corporations trains people to become fire fighters of stealth and they are well experienced and educated and quick to make decisions . We’re proud to do it as this are situations where our experience helps to save lives and properties.

Drinking 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes is a fantastic idea, however constant trips to the water fountain or carrying water bottles can be a pain. A great solution is getting a proper hydration system.
Great Article!

I am a former Helicopter crew member, Helicopter Manager, Red Team Member, Type I and Type II wild land fire fighter with over 36 years experience. Any health studies related to fire fighters working on Nuclear Plants, Nuclear Burial Sites and mines would help. I worked as an on call fire fighter and emergency crew member at the Savannah River Site and on fires with uranium mines in Washington State. I am currently working at a TVA Nuclear Plant exposed to wild land fire smoke daily. Thanks for your study.

here are some quick thoughts- because at this point if you are ordered to receive higher medical care and you have dehydration symptoms (i.e. vomiting, abdominal pain, etc.), OWCP classifies it as an “illness” not “traumatic injury”- and CA-16 (authorization for initial treatment) is not used on CA-2 (occupational illness). This typically leaves the firefighter responsible for the air or ground ambulance and other medical bills :

medical documentation regarding OWCP should be added to IRPG and more of an emphasis regarding documentation and financial responsibilities for using non agency medevac procedures. you order it, you pay for it. the most highly medically trained personnel should be delegated authority over medicals with NO INTERRUPTION from those higher in the typical operations ICS. Policy in Washington should stop making blanket policy for federal employees based on their “home unit/district” and formulate separate policy recognizing the unique, and often remote, location (in addition to environmental factors) influencing wildland forest service personell on their HUGE “home unit” or district. Every firefighter I have ever met has been impacted or knows AT LEAST one other wildland firefighter affected by the challenges of OWCP and medical situations arising while on an incident. AND WHEN IT HAPPENS, THIS INJURED OR ILL FIREFIGHTER IS NOT THE AUTHORITY FOR EVAC OR NEXT LEVEL OF CARE. crew boss/supervisor should not be the one responsible for ensuring paperwork is complete regarding authorizations- THEY ARE ON AN INCIDENT RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBORDINATES…. FOCUS ON THIS PLEEEEASE!! hospital liason is not a primary role on forests always, its often supplemental/additional duty. If you want to put firefighters FIRST, develop controls for the OWCP process and fight to change the prior authorization (CA-16) to be AUTOMATIC for WILDLAND FIRE PERSONNEL REGARDLESS OF CA-1 or CA-2 being recommended by ASC HRM.

why is it up to someone in Albuquerque?>?>?> FECA is a benefit that sounds great, but realistically should be personalized for wildland firefighters who RISK their LIVES every shift.

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